Multimedia & graphics macOS
VCV Rack for macOS
Build modular synthesizer patches on Mac with VCV Rack Free, a standalone virtual Eurorack studio with audio, MIDI and expandable modules.
- Operating system
- macOS 10.9 or later, as listed by the publisher
- Architecture
- Intel x64 and Apple Silicon ARM64
- Download package
- PKG installer
Publisher supplies one x64+arm64 macOS package. Lists x64 with SSE4.2 or Apple M1 or newer, 1 GB RAM and 1 GB disk space; recommends dedicated graphics. These are publisher requirements, not an installation test.
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What is VCV Rack?
VCV Rack brings Eurorack-style modular synthesis to your Mac. Build patches from virtual modules, connect their signals with cables and use the resulting instrument for sound design, live audio processing or generative rhythms and melodies. The free standalone edition includes a synthesis toolkit and can be expanded through the VCV Library.
Rack 2 adds adjustable room brightness, a module browser with zoom, favorites and sorting, and selections that let you save, share and move groups of modules. Audio and control-voltage input/output, polyphonic MIDI and patch recall connect the modular workflow to other equipment and projects.
This download is Rack Free, not Rack Pro. Running Rack as a VST2, VST3, Audio Unit or CLAP plugin inside a DAW requires Pro; hosting VST plugins inside Rack requires the separately purchased VCV Host. VCV also warns that integrated graphics can significantly increase CPU usage. Check the publisher's hardware requirements before choosing it for an older Mac.
What it offers
- Build virtual Eurorack patches for synthesis, live audio processing and generative composition.
- Use included synthesis modules and expand the collection through the VCV Library.
- Save, share and move selections of modules together.
- Browse modules with zoom, favorites and sorting; adjust room brightness for a darker workspace.
- Connect audio or control-voltage interfaces and use polyphonic MIDI input/output.
Good to know
- Rack Free is standalone; the VST2, VST3, Audio Unit and CLAP DAW plugins require Rack Pro.
- Hosting VST plugins inside Rack requires the separately purchased VCV Host.
- The publisher does not recommend integrated graphics and warns of significantly increased CPU usage.
Product images
Sources
References used for this listing. Retrieval dates do not indicate hands-on testing.
- VCV Rack 2 - Virtual Eurorack Studio ↗Retrieved
- About VCV ↗Retrieved
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